Protocol on the Position of the UK and Ireland

Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what occasions since the Treaty of Amsterdam was signed has the United Kingdom under Article 44 of the Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland notified the European Community that it wished to accept a measure of the Council pursuant to Title IV (formerly iii a) of the European Community Treaty.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland consists of eight articles and it is assumed that the noble Lord intended to refer to Article 4 rather than Article 44 of the Protocol. The United Kingdom has never notified the Council and Commission under Article 4 of the Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland that it wishes to accept a measure previously adopted by the Council pursuant to Title IV of the European Community Treaty.
	The UK has, however, notified its intention, in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol, to participate in the adoption and application of a number of proposals under Title IV in the areas of asylum, combating illegal immigration and civil law, in accordance with the Government's general policy on Title IV.

National Asylum Support Service

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff are employed by the National Asylum Support Service; and of these how many are employed centrally and how many in each region of England, in Scotland and in Wales.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: As at the end of December 2000, there were 492 staff employed by the Home Office in the NASS. In addition there were 42 agency staff.
	Of the total of 534, 523 are employed centrally and 11 in the regions; one in each of the following areas: Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the North West, Yorkshire/Humberside, the West Midlands, the North East, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South West, the South Central/East.

National Asylum Support Service

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of employees in the National Asylum Support Service are full-time and on permanent contracts, full-time and on temporary contracts, part-time and on permanent contracts, and part-time and on temporary contracts.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: All of the staff currently employed by the Home Office in the NASS are on permanent contracts, almost 18 per cent of whom are part time.
	A further 8 per cent of staff in NASS are employed by agencies. These staff are not contractually bound to the Home Office.
	In addition, there is a small number of contractors and secondees (about eight at present) whose contracts are with their agencies and original departments respectively.

Asylum Seekers Detained in Prison:Language Facilities

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What language support and training are provided to prison officers in prisons that are used to detain asylum seekers; and what translating and interpreting services are provided to such asylum seekers.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Prison Service has recently re-negotiated its contract with Language Line, a 24-hour telephone interpreting service available to all prison establishments. A training day for staff on the use of the service was held at the Prison Service College in September 2000 and further sessions at the Race Relations Liaison Officers National Conference in November 2000. The Prisoners' Information Book, jointly produced with the Prison Reform Trust, is available in 21 languages.
	Establishments have access to an Interpreters' Directory which gives details of interpreters registered to immigration ports in England and Wales. Immigration staff--who hold "surgeries" for immigration detainees--have access to a database of 3,000 interpreters in over 200 different languages.
	The Prison Service will continue to work in partnership with the Immigration Service and other agencies to minimise any language or cultural difficulties experienced by foreign nationals, including asylum seekers, detained in prison.

Air Weapons: Permit Requirement

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 15 January (WA 99), whether for the avoidance of confusion and doubt they will list the categories of air rifles and air pistols for which permits are required.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: I understand that air weapons of the type used in competitive target shooting such as the Commonwealth Games shooting events are restricted in power to give muzzle energies of less than 12 foot pounds for rifles and 6 foot pounds for pistols. They are classed as low powered air weapons and do not require any form of certification.
	High powered air rifles with muzzle energies greater than 12 foot pounds and air pistols with muzzle energies of greater than 6 foot pounds are classed as being of a type declared by the Secretary of State to be specially dangerous, and this moves them into the same classification as conventional cartridge firing weapons. This means that high powered air rifles come under the control of Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) and must be kept on a police-issued firearm certificate or visitor's permit. High powered air pistols are prohibited under the terms of Section 5(1)(aba) of the Act and may not be possessed without the express authority of the Secretary of State. In addition, they would also need to be kept on a firearm certificate or visitor's permit.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Casework Programme

Lord Rea: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the introduction of the casework programme of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: In 1996 Siemens Business Services Ltd and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of the Home Office agreed a specification and contract for the development and operation of an integrated casework system. For a number of reasons delivery in the timescale originally anticipated did not occur.
	Officials have however worked closely with Siemens to ensure that the Information Technology (IT) provided by it supports the expansion of immigration casework and current priorities. The systems already operating as an interim solution, with which the directorate has achieved 110,000 asylum decisions this year, provide the practical support needed. The original full casework application now seems over-complex and out of touch with current working practices. IND has accordingly agreed with Siemens that it should stand down the resources it is using to develop the full casework application.
	Siemens continues to work actively in partnership with IND on a programme of further improvements to IND's current IT, to be completed over the next year. IND and Siemens will together work through the consequent changes to the contract and payment schedule. At present, there is no change to the current contract, which runs to October 2003.

Clandestine Entrants: Rail Freight Regulations

Lord Rea: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the application of the civil penalty for carrying clandestine entrants to rail freight trains will be extended; when the amount of such a penalty will be set; when a code of practice for rail freight will be brought into operation; and whether a report on the consultation process will be published.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Following a formal consultation period, which ran from 13 November to 25 December 2000, the main set of regulations extending the civil penalty to rail freight (the Carriers' Liability (Clandestine Entrants) (Application to Rail Freight) Regulations 2001) has been laid before Parliament today, along with a draft code of practice. The main regulations come into force, for the purposes of making and laying two related instruments--namely the Carriers' Liability (Clandestine Entrants and Sale of Transporters) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and the Carriers' Liability (Clandestine Entrants) (Code of Practice for Rail Freight) Order 2001--on 7 February 2001. The remaining provisions of the main regulations and the two related instruments will come into force on 1 March 2001.
	The purpose of the main regulations is to enable penalties to be imposed in respect of clandestine entrants who arrive in the United Kingdom concealed in a rail freight wagon. The other two instruments provide respectively for the amount of the penalty (and certain procedural matters), and for the coming into operation of the Code of Practice.
	A copy of the report, summarising the main responses to the consultation process, has been placed in the Library. Copies are also available on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.

CCFs

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list, for each school, college or university having a combined cadet force (CCF), (a) its name, (b) its postcode, (c) the services with which it has connections, and (d) the number of cadets linked with each service; and what is the total annual cost to the Government of maintaining such CCFs.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The details requested are in the following table.
	
		
			 School or College (a) Post Code (b) No of cadets by service section as at 1 April 2000  (c), (d) RN/RM Army RAF 
			 Abingdon School O14 1DE -- 75 50 
			 Adams' Grammar School TF10 7BD -- 110 55 
			 Alleyn's School SE22 8SU 22 84 64 
			 Ampleforth College YO6 4EY -- 173 27 
			 Ardingly College RH17 6SQ -- 105 -- 
			 Arnold School FY4 1JG 119 164 119 
			 Audenshaw High School M34 5NB -- 27 32 
			 Bancroft's School IG8 0RF -- 87 50 
			 Bangor Grammar School BT20 5HJ 70 107 -- 
			 Barnard Castle School DL12 8UN -- 98 58 
			 Batley Grammar School WF17 0AD 29 46 63 
			 Bearwood College RG41 5BG -- 120 -- 
			 Bedford School MK40 2TU 42 77 83 
			 Bedford Modern School MK41 7NT 51 72 31 
			 Berkhamsted Collegiate School HP4 2BB 25 132 42 
			 Birkenhead School CH43 2JD 30 90 72 
			 Bloxham School OX15 4PE -- 75 -- 
			 Blundells School EX16 4DN -- 146 -- 
			 Bournemouth School BH8 9PY 33 80 85 
			 Bradfield College RG7 6AU 49 167 30 
			 Bradford Grammar School BD9 4JP -- 58 -- 
			 Brentwood School CM15 8AS 40 292 71 
			 Bridlington School YO16 4QU 21 49 41 
			 Brighton College BN2 2AL 54 119 76 
			 Bromsgrove School B61 7DU -- 179 37 
			 Bury Grammar School BL9 0HN -- 139 -- 
			 Calday Grange Grammar School CH48 8GG 31 50 38 
			 Campbell College BT4 2ND 120 309 71 
			 Canford School BH21 3AD 67 143 -- 
			 Caterham School CR3 6YA -- 58 51 
			 Charterhouse School GU7 2DJ 49 59 45 
			 Cheltenham College GL53 7LD 23 146 33 
			 Chichester High School PO19 2AE -- 60 59 
			 Christ College, Brecon LD3 8AG 23 103 22 
			 Christ's College, Finchley N2 0SE -- 112 -- 
			 Christ's Hospital RH13 7LS 20 101 45 
			 Churcher's College GU31 4AS 35 60 50 
			 Churston Grammar School TQ5 0LN -- 50 -- 
			 City of London School EC4V 3AL 36 121 34 
			 Clayesmore School DT11 8LL -- 105 55 
			 Clifton College BS8 3JH 70 112 89 
			 Colfe's School SE12 8AW -- 44 21 
			 College of Richard Collyer RH12 2EJ -- 71 -- 
			 Colston's Collegiate School BS16 1BJ 24 90 25 
			 Cowes High School PO31 8HB -- 44 20 
			 Cranbrook School TN17 3JD -- 45 30 
			 Cranleigh School GU6 8QQ -- 117 -- 
			 Daniel Stewart's & Melville College EH4 3EZ -- 202 91 
			 Dean Close School GL51 6HE 42 283 64 
			 Denstone College ST14 5HN -- 45 34 
			 Dollar Academy FK14 7DU 18 145 27 
			 Dover Grammar School CT17 0DQ -- 45 50 
			 Downside School BA3 4RJ 45 126 -- 
			 Duke of York's Royal Military School CT15 5EQ -- 293 34 
			 Dulwich College SE21 7LD 22 60 65 
			 Dundee High School DD1 1HU 22 146 -- 
			 Durham School DH1 4SZ 20 105 36 
			 Eastbourne College BN21 4JY 19 251 20 
			 Edinburgh Academy EH3 5BL 23 105 61 
			 Elizabeth College GY1 2PY 19 35 28 
			 Ellesmere College SY12 9AB 29 130 37 
			 Epsom College KT17 4JQ 42 283 98 
			 Eton College SL4 6DW -- 176 21 
			 Exeter School EX2 4NS 92 142 96 
			 Felsted School CM6 3LL -- 99 16 
			 Fettes College EH4 1QX 40 180 47 
			 Forest School E17 3PY -- 42 -- 
			 Framlingham College IP13 9EY 44 114 52 
			 George Heriots School EH3 9EQ 30 50 65 
			 Giggleswick School BD24 0DE 24 102 23 
			 Glasgow Academy G12 8HE 36 82 60 
			 Glenalmond College PH1 3RY -- 167 43 
			  
			 Godolphin School SP1 2RA -- 55 -- 
			 Gordon's School GU24 9PT 33 267 48 
			 Gresham's School NR25 6EA -- 274 98 
			 Haberdashers' Aske's School WD6 3AF 86 87 96 
			 Haileybury College SG13 7NU 45 150 50 
			 Hampton School TW12 3HD -- 85 75 
			 Harrow School HA1 3HP 107 283 40 
			 Hele's School PL7 4LT 37 100 36 
			 Hereford Cathedral School HR1 2NG 17 110 79 
			 Highgate School N6 4AY -- 62 -- 
			 Howard School ME8 0BX -- 92 6 
			 Hulme Grammar School OL8 4BX -- 49 37 
			 Hurstpierpoint College BN6 9JS -- 57 57 
			 Ipswich School IP1 3SG -- 52 35 
			 Judd School TN9 2PN -- 45 78 
			 Kelly College PL19 0HZ 131 73 -- 
			 Kelvinside Academy G12 0SW 36 57 26 
			 Kimbolton School PE18 0EA 31 106 80 
			 King Charles I High School DY10 1XA -- 45 -- 
			 King Edward's School, Bath BA2 6HU -- 114 -- 
			 King Edward's School, Birmingham B15 2UA 16 82 52 
			 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford CM1 3SX -- 80 -- 
			 King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth LN11 9LL -- -- -- 
			 King William's College IM9 1TP 31 102 49 
			 King's College, Taunton TA1 3DX 53 148 -- 
			 King's College School SW19 4TT 61 109 77 
			 King's School, Bruton BA10 0ED 9 225 34 
			 King's School, Canterbury CT1 2ES 25 80 35 
			 King's School, Chester CH4 7QL -- 76 54 
			 King's School, Grantham NG31 6RP -- 110 34 
			 King's School, Rochester ME1 1TE 45 68 39 
			 King's School, Worcester WR1 2LH -- 44 60 
			 Kingham Hill School OX7 6TH -- 88 32 
			 Kingston Grammar School KT2 6PY -- 21 27 
			 Kirkham Grammar School PR4 2BH -- 133 76 
			 Knox Academy EH41 4EW -- 56 -- 
			 Lancing College BN15 0RW 28 32 38 
			 Langley School NR14 6BJ 21 102 22 
			 Leeds Grammar School LS17 8GS -- 31 62 
			 Leys School CB2 2AD -- 62 -- 
			 Liverpool College L18 8BG 40 226 58 
			 Llandovery College SA20 0EE -- 118 -- 
			 London Oratory School SW6 1RX -- 55 61 
			 Longhill School BN2 7FR -- 75 -- 
			 Lordswood Boys' School B17 8BJ -- -- -- 
			 Lord Wandsworth College RG29 1TB -- 117 29 
			 Loretto School EH21 7AF 50 131 -- 
			 Loughborough Grammar School LE11 2DU 26 165 110 
			 Magdalen College School OX4 1DX 36 109 61 
			 Maidstone Grammar School ME15 7BT 26 82 58 
			 Malvern College WR14 3DF 50 68 14 
			 Marlborough College SN8 1PA -- 274 -- 
			 Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby L23 0PO 32 181 38 
			 Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood HA6 2HT 89 195 83 
			 Merchiston Castle School EH13 0PU -- 212 -- 
			 Merrill College DE24 9FE -- 80 -- 
			 Mill Hill School NW7 1QS 49 154 17 
			 Milton Abbey School DT11 0BZ 40 88 35 
			 Monkton Combe School BA2 7HG 44 110 43 
			 Monmouth School NP5 3XP -- 123 32 
			 Morrison's Academy PH7 3AN -- 111 -- 
			 Mount St Mary's College S21 3YL -- 129 50 
			 Newcastle under Lyme School ST5 1DB 28 80 61 
			 Northolt High School UB5 4HP -- 55 35 
			 Nottingham High School NG7 4ED 31 93 76 
			 Oakham School LE15 6QG -- 96 86 
			 Old Swinford Hospital DY8 1QX -- 160 63 
			 Oratory School RG8 0PJ 29 121 39 
			 Oswestry School SY11 2TL -- 109 -- 
			 Oundle School PE8 4EN 29 340 79 
			 Pangbourne College RG8 8LA 93 32 -- 
			 Pate's Grammar School GL51 0HG -- 119 73 
			  
			 Perse School CB2 2QF 23 95 60 
			 Plymouth College PL4 6RN 40 65 36 
			 Pocklington School YO4 2NJ -- 122 51 
			 Portsmouth Grammar School PO1 2LN 57 74 56 
			 Presentation College RG30 2BB -- 53 35 
			 Prior Park College BA2 5AH 44 50 18 
			 Queen Elizabeth's College EN5 4DQ -- 60 -- 
			 Queen Mary's Grammar School WS1 2PG -- 137 115 
			 Queen Mary's, The Vyne School RG21 2PB -- 31 37 
			 Queen Victoria School FK15 0JY 22 77 58 
			 Radley College OX14 2HR 45 135 53 
			 Ratcliffe College LE7 4SG -- 55 25 
			 Read School YO8 8NL -- 84 36 
			 Reading School RG1 5LW -- 55 66 
			 Reading Blue Coat School RG4 0SU 28 116 39 
			 Reed's School KT11 2ES -- 67 31 
			 Reigate Grammar School RH2 0QS 21 39 53 
			 Repton School DE6 6GG -- 249 36 
			 Robert Gordon College B9 1FR -- 76 54 
			 Rossall School FY7 8JW 35 85 -- 
			 Royal Belfast Academical Institute BT1 6DL -- 140 111 
			 Royal School Armagh BT61 9DH -- 84 37 
			 Royal Grammar School, Guildford GU1 3BB -- 187 -- 
			 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe HP13 6QT 42 79 88 
			 Royal Grammar School, Lancaster LA1 3EF 18 62 57 
			 Royal Grammar School, Newcastle NE2 4DX 22 108 -- 
			 Royal Grammar School, Worcester WR1 1HP 54 62 112 
			 Royal Hospital School IP9 2RX 190 137 102 
			 Royal Russell School CR9 5BX -- 83 18 
			 Royal Wolverhampton School WV3 0EG -- 46 35 
			 Rugby School CV22 5EG 28 201 40 
			 Ruthin School LL15 1EE 33 76 -- 
			 Rutlish School SW20 9AD -- 59 48 
			 Ryde School PO33 3BE 62 -- 62 
			 St. Albans School AL3 4HB -- 136 36 
			 St. Bartholomew's School RG14 6JP 110 191 101 
			 St. Bees School CA27 0AD -- 133 37 
			 St. Benedict's School W5 2ES -- 72 -- 
			 St. Brigid's School LL16 4BH -- -- -- 
			 St. Columba's College AL3 4AW -- 34 24 
			 St. Dunstan's College SE6 4TY 25 39 -- 
			 St. Edmund's College SG11 1DS -- 51 46 
			 St. Edmund's School CT2 8HU -- 115 -- 
			 St. Edward's School OX2 7NN 33 90 33 
			 St. Ignatius College EN1 4NP -- 70 70 
			 St. John's School KT22 8SP 58 126 73 
			 St. Joseph's College IP2 9DR -- 103 24 
			 St. Lawrence College CT11 7AE 32 74 31 
			 St. Mary's College L23 3AB -- 78 53 
			 St. Peter's Church of Engand High School EX2 5AP 51 56 62 
			 St. Peter's School YO3 6AB -- 85 35 
			 Sandbach School CW11 3NS 24 91 41 
			 Scarborough College YO11 3BA 20 149 -- 
			 Seaford College GU28 0NB 31 98 37 
			 Sedbergh School LA10 5TJ 25 162 20 
			 Sevenoaks School TN13 1HU 50 157 59 
			 Sherborne School DT9 3AP 77 85 -- 
			 Shiplake College RG9 4BW 37 77 32 
			 Shoreham College BN43 6YW -- 65 -- 
			 Shrewsbury School SY3 7AR 46 121 46 
			 Sir Roger Manwood's School CT13 9JX -- 135 -- 
			 Skinner's School TN4 9PG -- 186 -- 
			 Solihull School B91 3DJ 31 139 99 
			 Stamford School PE9 2BO 20 170 95 
			 Stonyhurst College BB7 9PZ -- 150 -- 
			 Stowe School MK18 5EH 32 125 40 
			 Stathallan School PH2 9EG 63 25 -- 
			 Sutton Grammar School SM1 4AS -- 74 43 
			 Sutton Valence School ME17 3HN 41 121 33 
			 Taunton School TA2 6AD 38 69 37 
			 The Priory LSST LN5 8PW -- 45 32 
			 Thomas Hardye School DT1 2ET -- 44 22 
			  
			 Tonbridge School TN9 1JP 26 79 50 
			 Trent College NG10 4AD -- 125 60 
			 Trinity School, Croydon CR9 7AT 41 91 112 
			 Trinity School, Teignmouth TQ14 8LY -- 88 -- 
			 Uppingham School LE15 9UD 68 137 27 
			 Victoria College JE1 4HT 42 64 83 
			 Warminster School BA12 8PJ -- 88 -- 
			 Warwick School CV34 6PP -- 115 25 
			 Welbeck College S80 3LN -- 185 -- 
			 Wellingborough School NN8 2BX 34 152 43 
			 Wellington College RG45 7PU 99 293 64 
			 Wellington School TA21 9NT 47 203 -- 
			 Wells Cathedral School BA5 2ST -- 64 30 
			 West Buckland School EX32 0SX 19 119 69 
			 Whitgift School CR2 6YT 26 206 75 
			 William Hulme's Grammar School M16 8PR -- 109 58 
			 William Parker School TN34 2NS -- 50 50 
			 Wilson's School SM6 9JW -- 51 52 
			 Winchester College SO23 9PF 80 46 72 
			 Woodbridge School IP12 4JH 63 89 38 
			 Woodroffe School DT7 3LS -- 48 24 
			 Worksop College S80 3AP 40 135 40 
			 Wrekin College TF1 3BH -- 89 36 
			 Wycliffe College GL10 2JQ -- 100 -- 
			 Wymondham College NR18 9SZ -- 40 25 
			 Yarm School TS15 9EJ -- 69 -- 
		
	
	Contingent strengths are reported annually. This means that contingents that have opened since 1 April 2000 have no strength recorded in this table.
	Funding for the CCF is provided through single service budget holders. During the financial year 1999-2000 over £7 million was spent in direct support of the CCF. This does not, however, represent the total cost to the MoD. There are a number of costs that cannot be separately identified, associated with accommodation, equipment, the running and maintenance of CCF camps and training activities.

Health Food Products: EU Labelling Proposals

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 20 December (WA 56), precisely what amendments to which directives or proposed future directives the Food Standards Agency is seeking in order that food products should be able to carry consumer information about the reduction of the risk of ill health; and what progress has so far been made in achieving its objectives.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Food Standards Agency has made specific representations to the European Commission arguing for the establishment of an effective and practical system for the verification and approval of health claims at European Union level. It has made the case for allowing valid disease risk reduction claims as an integral part of these arrangements. These initiatives form part of the Food Standards Agency's wide-reaching Food Labelling Action Plan to improve the quality and clarity of information available to consumers. Copies are available in the Library.
	I understand the Commission is now reviewing this area of legislation with a view to making proposals later this year.

Milk Imports from France

Viscount Allenby of Megiddo: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many litres of milk have been imported from France since 1 April 2000.

Baroness Hayman: Provisional Overseas Trade Statistics show that 4.9 million litres of liquid milk were imported from France from 1 April to 31 October 2000, the latest month for which figures are available.
	The latest figures, given in the table below, show that the quantity of milk imported from France, expressed as a proportion of UK production of raw milk in the period April to October 2000, was lower than in the same period of the previous year. The quantities of milk imported from France are very small, amounting to less than 0.1 per cent when compared to UK production.
	
		
			  Imports of milk from France(1) million litres UK production of raw milk(2) million litres % of French imports to UK production 
			 Apr-Oct 1999 7.7 8,496 0.09% 
			 Apr-Oct 2000(3) 4.9 8,166 0.06% 
		
	
	(1) Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.
	(2) Includes wholesale and direct sale milk production.
	Source: Intervention Board, MAFF.
	(3) Provisional.

Milk Imports from France

Viscount Allenby of Megiddo: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether milk imported from France meets the same standards in every respect as required for milk produced in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Hayman: The European Union lays down rules on hygiene and composition for milk. Products must comply with these rules in order to be traded in the single market. Over and above those rules, buyers may choose to apply stricter criteria based on commercial considerations.

GM Farm-scale Evaluations

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What separation distances will apply to the GM farm-scale evaluations this spring.

Baroness Hayman: Following the scientific review and public consultation on separation distances that the ministry commissioned last year, Ministers have asked the industry representative body, SCIMAC, to apply the separation distances set out in the following table for the spring farm-scale evaluations this year. These include changes to the distance for varietal associations and partially restored hybrids of oilseed rape (increased from 50 to 100 metres) and the distance for conventional forage maize (increased from 50 to 80 metres).
	The purpose of the separation distances is to help ensure that any possible cross-pollination with nearby compatible crops is minimised. Based on best scientific data currently available, the distances in the attached table should ensure that if any cross-pollination does occur, the resulting GM presence in neighbouring crops would be extremely low. The separation distances agreed should reduce cross-pollination to a maximum of 1 per cent for any crop and considerably below this maximum in most cases. A background note on the separation distances has been placed in the Library of the House.
	The distances in question apply for the purposes of the spring 2001 farm-scale evaluations only and will be kept under review for future plantings.
	Steps are being taken to strengthen early communication at local level with farmers in the vicinity of FSE sites. All farmers hosting trials are being given clear guidance by SCIMAC that they should discuss their cropping plans at the earliest possible opportunity beforehand with their immediate neighbours. Ministers are also encouraging early dialogue at local level between FSE operators and all relevant local organic growers, and have asked SCIMAC to work closely with certified seed producers to ensure that current and any prospective EU standards for certified seed can continue to be met. MAFF is arranging a meeting with beekeeping organisations and SCIMAC to discuss specific issues affecting local beekeepers. Communication with local farmers will begin in advance of final decision-making and formal public notification to allow as much time as possible for any potential difficulties to be resolved.
	
		Revised SCIMAC Guidelines for Crop Separation Distances Spring 2001
		
			 Crop Certified seed crops (same species, all varieties) Registered organic crops (same species, all varieties) Non-seed/Non-organic ('ordinary') crops (same species)  
			 Oilseed rape 200m 200m Conventional varieties and  restored hybrids 50m 
			Varietal Association and  partially restored hybrids 100m(4) 
			 Sugar beet 600m 600m all varieties 6m(5) 
			 Fodder beet 600m 600m all varieties 6m(5) 
			 Maize 200m 200m sweetcorn 200m 
			forage maize 80m 
		
	
	Notes:
	(4) Varietal associations have a proportion of male sterile plants, which means those plants do not self-pollinate and are therefore more susceptible to pollination by nearby rapeseed plants. The separation distance is greater than for conventional varieties to take account of this fact.
	(5) As only the maternal plant tissues are used, cross-pollination will not affect the produce of non-seed crops. All bolters must be removed from the farm-scale trial crop so that pollen is not released.